FREESTONE PAST/PRESENT
J.R. (Sonny) SESSIONS 
                        Dr. J.D. Davidson, Teague Physician-Surgeon
 Recent inquiry in local weekly paper concerning Dr. Davidson and his 
family with incorrect response which not intended but none of our present 
publishers have much knowledge or earlier local history.
  Dr. Davidson our family doctor until his untimely early death in l941. This 
man, who was ahead of his time in the medical profession, was born and 
raised on a farm south of Donie. His father died when he was only three 
years old, with much hardship he and his brother completed Baylor 
University Medical School along with his brother ABB. Returning to Donie 
in l913, practiced medicine built a hospital equipped it with the most modern 
equipment of the day.
  In l922 he moved his practice to Teague, I was told by friend Jack 
Alexander that he moved the building used in Teague for a hospital and 
sanitarium from Donie. Alexander said this was done by rollers of some kind 
pulled by work teams of horses, mules or oxen. He was undoubtedly a 
Physician- Surgeon ahead of his times. I considered him very old man until 
years later I saw his grave stone in Greenwood Cemetery and only 54 years 
old.        
  While still living in Kirven prior to l931 (about 3-4 years old) was taken to 
Teague on the local train during a bad ice storm and emergency surgery 
performed by Dr. Davidson and my grandfather Dr. Batchelor for a ruptured 
appendix I have a scar which crosses half my stomach today. A few years 
later my younger brother was stricken while playing on the Courthouse lawn 
in Fairfield and had the same surgery by Dr. Davidson.  I was also treated 
here later, I still remember the ether or chloroform used to put you to sleep 
and how sick it could make you. One time I went in for removal of my 
tonsils and adenoids, which not done as often today. I remember especially 
his nurse who a heavy smoker and always smelled like a used ash tray.
  My mother spent time here with the flu. My Daddy’s elderly aunt died here 
from severe burns when her long dress caught fire from a kerosene lamp, I 
remember especially how she suffered, as little could be done for such. His 
hospital though small always clean and well equipped for its day. The 
hospital closed after Dr. Davidson’s death and became a residence where his 
son Pete, Sybil and children lived. Pete and Sybil two of nicest people ever 
known and an asset to the community, Pete was a WWII prisoner of war. I 
did not know JD as well.
  Dr. Davidson first of new type doctors in our area who treated everything
and was a great surgeon. I did not know his brother Abb or where he went. 
Some of Pete’s children still live in Teague.
                                        ***
   Taken from Original Sheriffs Report l969
  Dallas couple traveling thru County had argument with wife pulling pistol 
and fired several times, man thought it blanks until one landed in his 
stomach. Pickup stolen Limestone Co. traded for car in Donie when ran out 
of gas.
  Two local rowdy youths jailed from County Fair till it over, be one Fair 
the00y won’t remember. Two small boys seen at service station asked 
mother if I were a real Texas Sheriff, admitting such was advised they been 
living in New York and glad to see someone that could and would offer 
protection.
  Lady called with complaint husband stolen by daughter reported she 
brought him back limber as a dish rag. Over the years met lots of 
outstanding officers, one was “Big John Easley” Anderson Co. Chief Deputy 
who had to leave law enforcement to make a living in the oil patch.
  Man visiting brother in Jail reluctant to enter as first time behind bars, for 
some a one time experience, others a way of life.
  DPS jailed Houston man who said he in hurry and didn’t have time to go to 
Jail, he learned how fast Western Union isn’t on money being sent or fine. 
Man wanted on Limestone Co. murder seen in Kirvin, unable to locate till 
prison dogs brought over and found in road culvert.
  Notified by Board of Pardons and Paroles that man sent to pen in l938 for 
60 years being considered for parole, served 46 years and 2 months. Former 
mental patient that now a preacher came in with Brown/ Root Const. on TU 
plant made threats about getting gun and straightening folks out, taken as 
joke till bought new shotgun and buckshot, jailed till worked out deal to 
leave County and not return, years later suspected of wife’s death with
body exhumed nothing wrong found.
  To TU plant construction to arrest man when got off work, arrived early 
but everything stopped till we left with him, made other workers nervous
Deputies getting reluctant to take suspects to polygraph due to kidding over 
egg thefts, didn’t tell it in the thousands. Due to interference by current Co. 
Judge bills not being paid on time.
  Cleveland, Tex., family and hound dog stranded a local hospital, assisted 
with nights lodging. Advised by Dallas Co. friend and Deputy Al Maddox 
th0at Coffield escapee Easy Ray Jones in their Jail charged with burglaries, 
made Warden Bounds  most happy. In earlier days the breath test not always 
available with most DWI’s demanding it, once used a play balloon our boys 
left in car, had two ears when blown up, told him if could blow up both ears 
at once he had passed the test, he huffed and puffed all way to the Jailhouse 
and content he had failed.
Sometimes used my two way radio mike that had green and red light, let 
them blow into it and then pushed the red button, worked good.
  Didn’t have a office typewriter so elated when got hand me down from the 
auditors office, asked for help  in operating it from County Treasurer Pat 
Wood who advised she didn’t know how to operate one that old.
Riding alone one Halloween night thought the Spooks had me when 
something grabbed my shoulder glad to find it the black cat that adopted the 
Jail recently. Most Halloweens enough eggs bought by kids to throw, 
confiscated to feed jail for while.
                                ***
                Grandpa’s Report
 The November Historical Comm. meeting will be Tuesday evening 
Nov.6th.,2007 at 7:30pm at the Training Center, the program on Restoring 
Old Farm Tractors will  be presented by Marles Pace of Wortham, this 
becoming a big thing all over the nation. All are invited to attend.
  The annual Historical Commission Christmas Party and Banquet will be on 
our regular meeting night Tuesday evening December 4th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
at the Moody-Bradley House in Fairfield with special program presented by
History Club Member Patricia Tate. Those wishing to attend need to make 
reservations soon as seating here very limited. It may be mailed to Freestone 
Co. Historical Comm. Box 341 Kirvin 75848 along with $10 for dinner, it 
must be received by Nov. 30th. 2007.
  Teague Vol. Fire Dept. fish fry and fundraiser to help pay for new
Impressive Fire Station, known many dedicated volunteers in this in past
and present. These Fire Departments an asset to any area, Kirvin like Teague 
and others blessed with dedicated Dept.
  Woodland Cemetery called business meeting to address possible new fence 
at Burleson Cemetery near I45 which along with Carter Cemetery
on FR 27 are all apart of Woodland Cemetery Memorial Association.
…